talkSPORT tips – Best football bets and expert advice for Saturday 17 January

Things have been quiet on the domestic front this week with the EFL Cup semi-finals taking centre stage, but the pace picks up again this weekend with a full coupon to get stuck into across the UK.

The Manchester derby on Saturday lunchtime is the pick of the Premier League action, while Arsenal’s trip to Nottingham Forest looks to be an intriguing fixture later in the day.

Elsewhere, Coventry and Ipswich continue their Championship promotion pushes against Leicester and Blackburn, while in League One, third-placed Bradford host leaders Cardiff in a mouthwatering third-tier contest.

Here we pick out the best bets for a busy day of action.

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Saturday football betting tips

Sunderland to beat Crystal Palace @ 17/10 

Sunderland have already achieved more than they could ever have imagined since their return to the Premier League, and, having all-but sealed their place in the top-flight for another term, there could be more to come from the Black Cats with the pressure off.

Regis Le Bris’ men start this round of matches in 10th spot, and although they are winless in six matches in all competitions, there is scope to expect an upturn following a tough schedule which included a home draw with Manchester City and tough trips to Brighton, Tottenham, Brentford and Everton.

Back on home soil, where they have done much of their best work this season, they should get back on track against a Crystal Palace side still coming to terms with being the victims of the biggest shock in FA Cup history, after the holders were knocked out by lowest-ranked side Macclesfield last week.

That could take some time to recover from, but the truth is, the Eagles weren’t in great form leading up to that match anyway having gone eight matches without a win, so Sunderland look a great-value bet to send the South Londoners packing. 

Bet Builder

Chelsea v Brentford: Brentford to win, over 2.5 goals, Igor Thiago to score @ 15/2 

A stunning run of form which has seen them win four of their last five league matches has lifted Brentford up to fifth spot in the Premier League and there could be more to come from Keith Andrews’ in-form side.

The Bees are buzzing and their fantastic run has seen them hammer Bournemouth, Everton and Sunderland, while also drawing with Tottenham and beating bottom side Wolves.

And the short trip to take on derby rivals Chelsea should hold few fears for a team who have beaten Newcastle, Liverpool, Manchester United and Aston Villa this term.

It won’t be easy of course, but they have lost only one of their last eight meetings with the Blues in all competitions, drawing 2-2 with the Stamford Bridge side earlier this season.

Chelsea had to battle through a gruelling 3-2 EFL Cup semi-final loss to Arsenal on Wednesday, while Brentford had the week off to prepare for this derby dust-up, and there is little in the Blues’ recent form to bolster confidence either.

Coming to terms with life under new boss Liam Rosenior suggests swerving Chelsea, so backing in-form striker Igor Thiago to add to his 16-goal in a high-scoring Brentford win, looks a solid course of action for a bet builder.  

Acca

Manchester City to beat Manchester United, Tottenham to beat West Ham, Sunderland to beat Crystal Palace, Arsenal to beat Nottingham Forest @ 12/1

Man City have won 10 of their last 13 matches in all competitions and should be too strong for a United side who lost at home to Brighton last week in the FA Cup after drawing with second-from-bottom side Burnley during a four-match winless run.

Tottenham may not be at their best but they can get the better of a West Ham side who have been beaten by fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest and Wolves in recent weeks. 

Sunderland can use home advantage to see off a Crystal Palace side beaten by non-league Macclesfield last week and winless in nine matches, while league leaders Arsenal can get the better of a Forest outfit who have lost four of their last six matches, while losing to Wrexham in the FA Cup last Friday.

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Odds correct at time of publish and subject to change*

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